Multidrug efflux systems in Gram-negative bacteria

Multidrug efflux mechanisms in bacteria contribute significantly to intrinsic and acquired resistance to antimicrobial agents. Genome analysis have confirmed the broad distribution of these systems in Gram-negative as well as in Gram-positive bacteria. Among resistance mechanisms, the multidrug efflux system or pump deserves special attention, since a cell that has acquired it can simultaneously diminish or even suppress the susceptibility to a wide range of antimicrobials. The efflux system is mediated by transport proteins which confer resistance to toxic compounds. In Gram-negative bacteria, a tripartite efflux system is necessary to expel the drug to the outer medium: a protein localized in the cytoplasmic membrane; another in the periplasmatic space (membrane fusion protein - MFP); and a third in the outer membrane (outer membrane factor - OMF). The drug transport is active, and depends either on the energy provided by ATP hydrolysis or is directly driven by the proton motive force. The transport proteins are grouped in families, according to the homology of the amino acid sequences and to similarity of mechanisms. Among Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have most of the hitherto identified and studied multidrug efflux systems.

Antibacterial activity of lactic cultures isolated of Italian salami

Lactic acid bacteria were isolated in the MRS, D-MRS and M17 modified media, during the processing of Italian salami, obtained from two processing plants, in the State of Paraná. The 484 isolates were tested for their antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes (Microbiology Laboratory-UFV), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), by a deferred method. One hundred and fifteen isolates inhibited at least two of the pathogens. The isolates presented larger inhibition against L. monocytogenes. The 45 isolates with antagonistic action on the four indicator bacteria were identified by the system Biolog. Lactobacillus bifermentans prevailed among the isolates identified in MRS medium from the samples of the two processing plants.

Bactérias láticas foram isoladas durante o processamento de salame tipo italiano, obtido a partir de duas plantas de processamento, no Estado do Paraná. Para o isolamento, foram utilizados os meios MRS, D-MRS e M17. Um total de 484 isolados teve sua atividade antibacteriana testada sobre Listeria monocytogenes (Laboratório de Microbiologia - UFV), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076) e Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), utilizando-se o deferred method. Cento e quinze isolados apresentaram zonas de inibição sobre, pelo menos, duas das bactérias indicadoras. Os isolados apresentaram maior inibição sobre Listeria monocytogenes. Os 45 isolados que apresentaram zonas de inibição sobre as quatro bactérias indicadoras foram identificados, utilizando-se o sistema Biolog. Lactobacillus bifermentans predominou entre os isolados identificados, obtidos no meio MRS, a partir das amostras das duas plantas de processamento.